SCHOOL
In 1944, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law made a historical move by admitting its first female students, Marcia McDonald and Ruth Norman. This milestone marked a progressive step for the institution, simultaneously highlighting changes occurring in American society regarding women’s rights in education and the legal realm.
AI Generated
The NCCU School of Law, in collaboration with the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, proudly hosted the Second Annual Human Trafficking Awareness and Training Symposium on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at the NCCU School of Law Great Hall.
Attendees engaged with a distinguished panel of experts, including Ashley Tauscher, North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Peaden, Courtney Dunkerton, North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Emma Paul, North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, Judge Ashleigh Parker ’12 and Judge Kendra Montgomery-Blinn.
Through insightful discussions, the symposium shed light on the legal, social, and systemic challenges surrounding human trafficking. The event concluded with a special screening of “Resilience”, a powerful film highlighting the strength and perseverance of human trafficking survivors.
NCCU School of Law remains committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and equipping future legal professionals with the knowledge to advocate for justice. We extend our gratitude to all speakers, participants, and partners who made this symposium a success.
NCCU Law Hosted Second Annual Human Trafficking Symposium
Criminal Defense Clinic
By Professor Dionne R. Gonder-Stanley, director and supervising attorney for the Criminal Defense Clinic
“For me personally, starting to help represent clients under supervision now is a good pathway to expanding my confidence and experience before I enter the legal profession.” These words from Alex B. Coleman 3L, reflect the aspirations of students entering the Criminal Defense Clinic as they look towards their future careers. Yet, their work in the clinic means much more. We impact the community around us. From the client who was surprised by his legal representatives who met him at another county’s jail well before the court date, to the client who joyfully celebrated the dismissal of a specious accusation, our efforts make a deep and personal difference to the individuals we represent.
Further, in the past year, the Criminal Defense Clinic has influenced the court system in two regions. In Durham County, along with representing assigned clients in misdemeanor cases, we assisted the Public Defender’s Office representing jailed individuals during firstappearance proceedings.
In Vance County, a “legal desert” where there are not enough lawyers to assist those who cannot afford to hire an attorney, the clinic has handled about 40 courtappointed misdemeanor cases. At the same time, clinic alumni have stepped up to help. Attorneys Safwan Ali (CD Clinic CO 2022) and Jack Gilewicz (CD Clinic CO 2024) now accept court-appointed misdemeanors in Vance County. They demonstrate how Legal Eagle alumni continue to embody the university’s motto, “Truth and Service.”
As their former clinical professor and now colleague, I am proud that they have the “confidence and experience” gained in the clinic to help the underserved whenever and however possible.
NCCU Law Week March 16-22
I Love My HBLS 5K - March 16
Law Banquet - March 22
Deadline to register is March 21st.
Barrister’s Ball - March 28
HERoes in Service: A Military and Civil Rights Tribute and Panel - April 2
Honors Convocation for Academic Achievement - April 4
Women’s Law Caucus Annual Tea Party - April 8
ABA Client Counseling Regional Competition
on their exceptional performance at the 2025 ABA Client Counseling Regional Competition. The annual competition took place at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law in Philadelphia, and this year’s case topic focused on Employment Law.
Professor Dionne R. Gonder-Stanley
Congratulations to Legal Eagles Cortnei Cooks, Maeva Hassani, Katelyn Riddle, and Sheila Rodriguez Padron
Our own Dean Patricia Timmons-Goodson, a distinguished pioneer in her field, was recently invited by Justice Anita Earls to participate in a panel during last month’s Black History Commemoration event at the North Carolina Supreme Court. She joined Congressman G.K. Butterfield ‘74 and Dr. Virginia L. Summey for the occasion.
Appointed to the North Carolina Supreme Court by former Governor Michael Easley ‘76 in January 2006, Dean Timmons-Goodson made history as the fourth woman, and the first African American woman to serve on the state’s highest court.